Apple's New MagSafe Battery Won't Work on iPhone 17 Models

[MacRumors]

Looking for a new MagSafe battery to power your pre-ordered iPhone 17? You might be out of luck if you were eyeing Apple's latest offering.

Apple's newly released MagSafe battery pack comes with a big caveat: it only works with the all-new ultra-thin iPhone Air. The $99 accessory isn't compatible with the iPhone 17 or iPhone 17 Pro, according to Apple's official product page.

The compatibility restriction is a result of the battery's unusual design. Apple's store images show the tall battery pack would physically interfere with the camera systems on its other new iPhone models when attached.

That's in stark contrast to Apple's previous MagSafe Battery Pack, which worked across multiple iPhone generations before being discontinued in 2023. The new battery's exclusive compatibility reflects the iPhone Air's unique 5.6mm profile and smaller 3,149 mAh internal battery.

The news may be disappointing for iPhone 17 users, but the move makes sense given the iPhone Air's compromised battery life. Third-party MagSafe options do of course remain available for other models.

Article Link: Apple's New MagSafe Battery Won't Work on iPhone 17 Models

 

[iMac The Knife]

And the number of people who are surprised by this...0.

 

[kiensoy]

So they designed an external battery only for this model. Doesn't inspire much confidence.

 

[Slowpc]

That's a great design for the environment ... limited to one model of phone.

 

[Jaro65]

If indeed so, this seems shortsighted.

 

[JPack]

Reminds me of the Motorola MicroTAC phones from the 1990s.

You could choose the thin battery, but there was no way it was gonna last a day. If you had any sense, you'd install the thicker battery.

 

[BarrettF77]

Their whole entire presentation made me angry and opt to not buy anything from them this year. Zero innovation and practicality. iPhone pro is ugly as sin and no black color to hide the uglyness. The air is so thin you can't go a whole day without a battery which begs the question, why buy it then. And the watches just get 5g and a little more battery. Also not worth it.

Did anyone even really try to innovate this year Apple? Time to can Tim.

 

[j26]

And the number of people who are surprised by this...0.

I am - I'm surprised they went out so of their way to make it incompatible.

 

[sfkeepay]

So, iPhone Air + external battery = iPhone SE?

 

[Kottu]

Buy an iPhone Air, open the box and enjoy the beauty of the product, put it in a case, attach the external battery and make it thicker than an iPhone pro with a case on!

 

[macduke]

Probably because they wanted to make it as thin as possible, so making it taller makes sense if the camera bar is smaller on the Air. It also seems like most people will have fewer issues with the battery on the other iPhone models since they are so good now.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The Air doesn't have compromised battery life. It has the same battery as the 16 pro and nobody called that compromised.

 

[JPack]

The Air doesn't have compromised battery life. It has the same battery as the 16 pro and nobody called that compromised.

Because the 16 Pro was a well rounded package. The 17 Air has the footprint of a Plus phone but not the battery life nor cameras. It doesn't even have speakers on the bottom of the chassis.

 

[Astuces iOS]

Looking for a new MagSafe battery to power your pre-ordered iPhone 17? You might be out of luck if you were eyeing Apple's latest offering.

Apple's newly released MagSafe battery pack comes with a big caveat: it only works with the all-new ultra-thin iPhone Air. The $99 accessory isn't compatible with the iPhone 17 or iPhone 17 Pro, according to Apple's official product page.

The compatibility restriction is a result of the battery's unusual design. Apple's store images show the tall battery pack would physically interfere with the camera systems on its other new iPhone models when attached.

That's in stark contrast to Apple's previous MagSafe Battery Pack, which worked across multiple iPhone generations before being discontinued in 2023. The new battery's exclusive compatibility reflects the iPhone Air's unique 5.6mm profile and smaller 3,149 mAh internal battery.

The news may be disappointing for iPhone 17 users, but the move makes sense given the iPhone Air's compromised battery life. Third-party MagSafe options do of course remain available for other models.

Article Link: Apple's New MagSafe Battery Won't Work on iPhone 17 Models

Go test first and we will talk after.

 

[Kireyin]

Looking for a new MagSafe battery to power your pre-ordered iPhone 17? You might be out of luck if you were eyeing Apple's latest offering.

Apple's newly released MagSafe battery pack comes with a big caveat: it only works with the all-new ultra-thin iPhone Air. The $99 accessory isn't compatible with the iPhone 17 or iPhone 17 Pro, according to Apple's official product page.

The compatibility restriction is a result of the battery's unusual design. Apple's store images show the tall battery pack would physically interfere with the camera systems on its other new iPhone models when attached.

That's in stark contrast to Apple's previous MagSafe Battery Pack, which worked across multiple iPhone generations before being discontinued in 2023. The new battery's exclusive compatibility reflects the iPhone Air's unique 5.6mm profile and smaller 3,149 mAh internal battery.

The news may be disappointing for iPhone 17 users, but the move makes sense given the iPhone Air's compromised battery life. Third-party MagSafe options do of course remain available for other models.

Article Link: Apple's New MagSafe Battery Won't Work on iPhone 17 Models

I'm sorry, but what compromised battery life?!? Get real a bit ffs!

 

[neuropsychguy]

Their whole entire presentation made me angry and opt to not buy anything from them this year. Zero innovation and practicality. iPhone pro is ugly as sin and no black color to hide the uglyness. The air is so thin you can't go a whole day without a battery which begs the question, why buy it then. And the watches just get 5g and a little more battery. Also not worth it.

Did anyone even really try to innovate this year Apple? Time to can Tim.

Just a suggestion that I offer with kindness and sincerity: go outside, take a nice walk, and take some deep breaths of hopefully fresh air.

 

[1711.tony]

It’s Apple way to say iPhone Air’s battery life is bad

 

[AlexESP]

There’s no need to overthink it too much. Depending on usage, this phone won’t be ok in terms of battery life for the daily usage of some people. But many people will be more than fine with it, and the external battery exists for moments when you need it, i.e. long trips — just like Apple introduced it.

 

[technole]

Makes sense, you need the Air magsafe battery to even approach iPhone 17 Pro Max battery level at 40 hours.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Because the 16 Pro was a well rounded package. The 17 Air has the footprint of a Plus phone but not the battery life nor cameras. It doesn't even have speakers on the bottom of the chassis.

That doesn't answer the question as to the wrongful article use of "compromised battery" nor why so many here are stating the battery life is terrible when many of the same people have the 16 pro.

 

[Carlson-online]

Looking for a new MagSafe battery to power your pre-ordered iPhone 17? You might be out of luck if you were eyeing Apple's latest offering.

consider preorders arent open till Friday, this is a poorly worded opening that should be changed

 

[iMac The Knife]

I am - I'm surprised they went out so of their way to make it incompatible.

You're surprised that Apple did this? You must be new here! Just kidding!!

 

[j26]

Does anyone know what the capacity is on this - I can't see it on the Apple website.

All it suggests it that it adds 65% battery which would suggest about 2000mah, maybe 2500 allowing for power loss.

 

[Apple_Robert]

It’s Apple way to say iPhone Air’s battery life is bad

No, it's not. You are using logical fallacy as a good retort. Your retort is in fact terrible.

 

[Jay-Jacob]

It shame MagSafe battery pack is Air only. Should have made standard ones that fit iPhone 15 and later at very least.